Oklahoma woman receives reduced sentence after getting sterilized

OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma woman convicted of using a counterfeit check has received a reduced sentence after getting medically sterilized at the suggestion of the judge.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot showed leniency to Summer Thyme Creel, 34, during her sentencing Thursday because she had surgery to prevent pregnancies, The Oklahoman reported.

“She will receive a shorter sentence because she made that decision,” Friot announced before sentencing Creel.

Friot had suggested the medical procedure in a June order, noting that Creel had relinquished her parental rights to six of her seven children.

“Comparing the dates of Ms. Creel’s periods of habitual use of crack cocaine and methamphetamine … with the dates of birth of her seven children, it appears highly likely that some of Ms. Creel’s children were conceived, carried and born while Ms. Creel was a habitual user of these illicit substances,” the judge wrote in his order.

Friot said he could consider anything about Creel’s background, character and conduct during sentencing.

Creel was sentenced to a year in federal prison and three years on supervised release. She also was ordered to pay more than $15,200 in restitution.

“I’m sorry for the mistakes that I made,” Creel said.

Creel pleaded guilty last year to using a counterfeit check at a Walmart in Moore in 2014. She faced a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.